VERNON Jr.'A' Hockey FRANCHISE TEAMS
The Vernon Jr 'A' Hockey Franchise has had many nicknames over the years. Below they are listed in the order they were named....
- Vernon Junior Canadians - 1961-1962
- Vernon Blades - 1962-1967
- Vernon Essos - 1967-1973
- Vernon Vikings - 1973-1978
- Vernon Canadians - 1978-1979
- Vernon Lakers - 1980-1983
- Vernon Rockets - 1983-1984
- Vernon Lakers - 1984-1995
- Vernon Vipers - 1995-present
FRANCHISE HIGHLIGHTS
After the 210-11 season the Vernon jr. "A" hockey franchise record stands at...
Regular Season: 3541GP - 2012W - 1291L -
117T - 53SL - 11OL
Playoffs: 790GP - 491W - 308L - 1T*
Totals: 4331GP - 2503W - 1599L - 114T -
53SL - 2OL
note: * - In a Total-Points Series
Over the years the Vernon Jr 'A' Hockey Franchise has amassed a vast array of awards, cups and championships, including those listed below....
- 13 - Division/Conference Pennants - 1st Overall Points
- 1988 1989 1990 1992 1996 1997 1999 2002 2003 2005 2009 2010 2011
- 7 - League Pennants - 1st Overall Points
- 1970 1972 1976 1988 1999 2003 2010
- 16 - Interior Division/Conference Championships
- 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1996 1997 1999 2000 2002 2003 2005 2007 2009 2010 2011
- 12 - Nat Bailey/Subway/Fred Page Cups - League Championships
- 1970 1972 1988 1989 1991 1992 1996 1999 2003 2009 2010 2011
- Runners-up: 1990 1997 2000 2002 2005 2007
- 12 - Mowat Cups- British Columbia Champions
- 1970 1972 1988 1989 1991 1992 1996 1999 2003 2009 2010 2011
- 8 - Doyle Cups - BC vs AB Championship
- 1989 1991 1992 1996 1999 2009 2010 2011
- Runners-up: 1972 1988 2003
- 4 - Abbott Cups- Western Canadian Championship
- 1989 1991 1992 1999
- Runners-up: 1970
1996
- Note :Abbott Cup was retired in 1999 to the Hockey Hall Of Fame
- 6 - National Championships
- 2 - Centennial Cups 1990 -
1991
4 - Royal Bank Cups 1996 - 1999 - 2009 - 2010
Runners-Up: 2011 - Semi-Finalist:
1992
Appearances: 1989
Historical Background
The Vernon Jr. Canadians along with the Penticton Jr. Vees, Kelowna Buckaroos and Kamloops Jr. Rockets, four junior "B" teams, formed the Okanagan-Mainline Junior 'A' Hockey League in 1961 on the advise and determination of Canadians' owner Bill Brown. This was the Vernon Jr. Canadians and the Vernon franchises' inaugural season. Statistics wise, it was not a very successful season for the Vernon Jr. Canadains. Success, was the fact that they played their first season as a junior 'A' team.
The franchise changed its name to the Vernon Blades for the start of the 1962-63 season. They would remain the Vernon Blades through till the end of the 1966-67 season. The Vernon Blades were not very proficient in the playoffs losing every series they entered.
For the 1967-68 season the Vernon Essos was the name for the Vernon franchise. They would remain the Vernon Essos through till the end of the 1972-73 season. Playoff success for the Vernon Essos came in both 1970 and 1972 when they won the league pennant and championship, Abbott Cup runners-up in 1970 and inter-provincial runners-up in 1972.
The Vernon Vikings would start the 1973-74 season, as the Vernon franchise, changed its name once again . They would remain the Vernon Vikings through till the end of the 1977-78 season. Even though the Vernon Vikings won the league pennant in 1976 they bowed out in the second round of the playoffs that year, losing nine points to one, in a eight point series (4L - 1T). After sixteen consecutive playoff appearances, for the franchise, the Vernon Vikings were the first team to not make them in 1978.
For the 1978-79 season the Vernon franchise would change its name for a fifth time to the Vernon Canadians. It was the only season that this name was used, although in 1961 they were known as the Vernon Jr. Canadians.
After a one years leave of absence the franchise adopted a new name and became known as the Vernon Lakers, for the 1980-81 season. They kept that name till the end of the 1982-83 season. The Vernon Lakers missed the playoffs for two consecutive years, 1981 and 1982, which is a feat no other Vernon Jr. 'A' team has matched.
For the 1983-84 season the Vernon franchise was known as the Vernon Rockets. They had an extremly good season winning forty-five games but, lost in the first round of the playoffs, 4 games to 2.
The second installment of the Vernon Lakers came in the 1984-85 season. They remained the Vernon Lakers through till the end of the 1994-95 season.
It was this version of the franchise that started what was to become a dominate player in junior 'A' hockey, in the league, regional and national levels.
Not once in the eleven seasons of league play did they fall under the five-hundred mark and they made the playoffs every season. The Vernon Lakers entered the regional playdowns in five consecutive years and made the national tournament four years straight, culminating in two National Championships, 1990 and 1991.
The Vernon Lakers accomplishment of four National Championship appearances, 1989 - 1992, remains a Canadian junior "A" hockey record.
By the end to the 1994-95 season the Vernon Lakers brought the franchise from the negative to the positive side of the wins versus losses category. They did this for both the regular season and playoffs statistics.
The current name of the Vernon Vipers has been since the 1995-96 season of the Vernon franchise. This edition of the franchise established itself as an elite junior "A" hockey team in league, regional and national levels.
1996, was one of Vernons' best seasons as they finished the regular portion winning 43 games, losing 13 and tying 4.
The Vernon Vipers defeated the Langley Thunder for the League title, 4 games to 1.
In regional playdowns that year they defeated the Prince George Spruce Kings (Rocky Mountain JHL) for the Mowat Cup, 3 games to 0. Then faced a tough Saint Albert Saints (Alberta Junior Hockey League) team, winning 4 games to 3, to claim the Doyle Cup.
The Abbott Cup, which was awarded during a national tournament round-robin game, was awarded to the Melfort Mustangs (Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League), as they defeated the Vernon Vipers, 5-1.
The Vernon Vipers had an even round-robin during the National Tournament, winning 2 games and losing 2. In the semi-final the Vernon Vipers defeated the Newmarket 87's (Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League), 7-4. The Vernon Vipers opponent for the final was the, host, Melfort Mustangs. The Vernon Vipers avenged the Abbott Cup loss, by winning the final, 2-0, claiming the the Vipers' first, the franchises third, national title, the inaugural Royal Bank Cup.
Three short years after winning the inaugural Royal Bank Cup Vernon once again returned to the National stage, in 1999.
The Vernon Vipers accomplished this by capping an amazing season of 52 wins and 6 loses with 2 Ties, which is currently the franchises best season, defeating the Chilliwack Chiefs for the League title, Fred Page Cup.
The Mowat Cup was a mixed blessing as the Vernon Vipers won but, not without controversy. The Kimberley Dynamiters (Rocky Mountain JHL) won 1 game of the 4 played. It was the first time a team from the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League defeated a team from the British Columbia Hockey League. It should be noted however, that Vernon played with a Junior "B" backup goaltender in the loss, (7-6) due to injury of their regular goaltenders.
The Doyle Cup was easily won by the Vernon Vipers, 4 games to 1, over the Calgary Canucks (Alberta JHL).
The Vernon Vipers did it all the hard-way in the Royal Bank Cup Tournament winning only once during round-robin play. That one win was enough though, to claim the Abbott Cup defeating the Estevan Bruins (Saskatchewan JHL), 3-2.
After that dismal showing in the round-robin the Vernon Vipers still managed to advance to the semi-finals. In that semi, the Bramalea Blues (Ontario Provincial JHL) were defeated, 3-2.
The Royal Bank Cup final was an absolute blow-out as the Vernon Vipers hammered the Charlottetown Abbies (Maritime Junior A Hockey League), 9-3, claiming the franchises fourth National Championship in ten years and second Royal Bank Cup.
The 2000-01 season turned out to be an extreme disappointment for the franchise as the Vernon Vipers failed to make the playoffs, the first time since 1982.
Maintaining a competitive level in the league for the next few years the Vernon Vipers would eventually set a Canadian Record.
In 2009 the Vernon Vipers swept through the league playoffs defeating the Penticton Vees four games to one, the Salmon Arm Silverbacks four games to two and the Powell River Kings four games to two. The Vernon Vipers would then literally breeze though the regional and national series with ten straight wins and no losses. They defeated the Grande Prairie Storm for the Doyle Cup, and in the Royal Bank Cup Tournament they defeated all teams in the round-robin, the Kingston Voyageurs, 6-3, in the semi-final and the Humboldt Broncos, 2-0, in the final, winning the franchises fifth national title and third Royal Bank Cup.
The Canadian Record ?, with five National Titles, Vernon is the only Jr. A Franchise in Canada to have that distinction !
Once again the Vernon Vipers win the Royal Bank Cup in 2010. Only the third time a team has won back-to-back National Championships, the previous two being in 1981 & 1982 Prince Albert Raiders, 1990 & 1991 Vernon Lakers.
The Vipers were League and Divisional Pennant winners with 105 points, second all-time for the Franchise, finishing with a League record of 51W-6L-0T-3OL. Having avoided the Elimination Round, the Vipers met up with the 5th place Quesnel Millioniares in the Quarter Finals defeating them 4 games to 2. The Penticton Vees were the Vipers' next victum in the Semi Finals winning also by a result of 4 games to 2. In the BCHL Finals the Vernon Vipers would once again take on the Powell River Kings. Looking for revenge from thier loss in 2009, to the Vipers, the Kings took Vernon to a game seven. The Vipers won that game by a score of 3-1, advancing them to the Doyle Cup.
The Doyle Cup series also went to seven games, against the Spruce Grove Saints, with Vernon winning 7-3, in that game.
The National Jr. A Tournament was held in Dauphin, Manitoba. The Vernon Vipers record in the Round Robin, 3W-1L, Dauphin Kings 5-6 L ot, La Ronge Ice Wolves 4-2 W, Oakville Blades 5-3 W and Brockville Braves 4-2 W. In the Semi Final Vernon once again took on the Brockville Braves earning a shut-out winning 2-0. The Final was a blow-out for the Vernon Vipers. Taking on the Host, Dauphin Kings, the Vipers annialiated Dauphin for a 8-1 win, giving the Vernon Vipers thier 4th Royal Bank Cup.
Records - Franchise, League and National
- Retired Jersey Numbers
- #20 - Robbie Short (2010)
- Most total points in a season by one team
- Vernon Vipers (52-6-2) 106 pts (1998-99) (Vernon Record)
- Most wins in a season by one team
- Vernon Vipers 52 (1998-99) (BCHL & Vernon Record, Tied With 1989-90 New Westminster Royals)
- Most Consecutive Road Wins in one season
- Vernon Vipers 17 (2009-10) (Vernon Record)
- Fewest goals allowed in a season by one team
- Vernon Vipers (60 game schedule) 119 (2009-10) (BCHL Record)
- Most goals scored in one season by one team
- Vernon Rockets 452 (1983-84) (Vernon Record)
- Most losses in a season
- Vernon Vikings 56 (1977-78) (BCHL Record)
- Most consecutive victories in a season
- Vernon Vipers 22 (1998-99) (Vernon Record)
- Longest unbeaten streak
- Vernon Vipers 34 (1998-99) (Vernon Record)
- Most Shoot-out Losses in a season
- Vernon Vipers (3-8) 8 (1997-98) (BCHL Record)
- Most consecutive playoff series lost
- Vernon 8 (1962 -1969) (BCHL Record)
- Most goals scored in a playoff game by one player
- Jeff Cheeseman, Vernon 6 (1996) (Won 6-4 at Cowichan Valley) (BCHL Record)
- Most Playoff Shutouts
- 5 - Tyson Motz - (Vernon Vipers 2001-02) (BCHL Record)
- Most goals by a defenceman in a regular season
- 38 - Campbell Blair (Vernon Lakers 1986-87) (BCHL Record)
- Most assists in one game by a player
- 9 - Ernie Gare (Vernon Essos 1971) & Duane Dennis (Vernon Lakers 1989) (BCHL Record)
- Most total points by a defenceman in a regular season
- 109 - Campbell Blair (Vernon Lakeres 1986-87) (BCHL Record)
- Most powerplay goals by a single player in one season
- 30 - Roland Ramoser (Vernon Lakers 1991-92) (Vernon Record)
- Most career goals
- 156 - Wayne Dye (Vernon Essos 1968-1972) (Vernon Record)
- Most career assists
- 174 - Gary Huth (Chilliwack Bruins 1975-176 & Vernon Vikings 1975-77) (Vernon Record)
- Most career total points
- 325 - Wayne Dye (Vernon Essos 1968-1972) (Vernon Record)
- Most career games played
- 309 - Robbie Short - Vernon Vipers 2006 - 2010 (Vernon Record)
- Most goals scored in a regular season
- 67 - Jason Elders ( Vernon Lakers 1990-91) (Vernon Record)
- Most assists recorded in a regular season
- 106 - Scott Longstaff (Vernon Lakers 1991-92) (Vernon Record)
- Most points recorded in a regular season
- 160 - Scott Longstaff (Vernon Lakers 1991-92) (Vernon Record)
- Most assists recorded in the playoffs
- 37 - Scott Longstaff (Vernon Lakers 1992) (BCHL Record)
- Most points recorded in the playoffs
- 47 (10G - 37A) - Scott Longstaff (Vernon Lakers 1992) (BCHL Record)
- Most goals scored in the playoffs
- 20 - Jason Elders (Vernon Lakers 1991) (Vernon Record)
- Most Wins at the Royal Bank Cup Tournament
- 36 - (Vernon Lakers 13, 1990-91-92 / Vernon Vipers 23, 1996-1999-2009-2010-2011) (National Record)
- Most National Championships
- 6 - (Vernon Lakers 2, 1990-1991 / Vernon Vipers 3, 1996-1999-2009-2010)
- Most Appearances at the Royal Bank Cup Tournament
- 9 - (Vernon Lakers 4,1989-90-91-92 - Vernon Vipers 4,1996-1999-2009-2010-2011)
- Most goals scored at the Royal Bank Cup Tournament
- 226 - (Vernon Lakers 96 & Vernon Vipers 111)
- The Vernon Lakers set a National Record as the only team in Canada to make it to four straight National Tournaments, Centennial Cup (1989, 1990, 1991 & 1992)
- The Vernon Vipers are the last team to win back-to-back National Championships, Royal Bank Cup (2009 & 2010)
- The Vernon Vipers are the only team to appear in three consequtive finals (2009 - 2010 & 2011)
THIS SITE NEEDS YOUR HELP !
Unfortunately, many seasons are missing or incomplete.
If you or someone you know can supply, any or all, of the missing information, I would be most grateful.
If you can be of any assistance please, send any information to me via email to... vernonfranchise@shaw.ca
or send it via mail to...
C/O Vernon Jr. 'A' Hockey History
1806-24th Avenue,
Vernon, British Columbia,
Canada, V1T 1K9
OFFICIAL APPROVAL
I have gone to great lengths to make this site as accurate as possible by scouring the internet, year books, programs, player/fan submissions and various other means. This approval means alot to me and puts a smile on my face, a proud smile.
THIS SITE HAS BEEN "OFFICIALLY"
APPROVED BY THE BC HOCKEY LEAGUE
Visit the BC Hockey League at www.bchl.bc.ca
THIS SITE HAS BEEN "OFFICIALLY"
APPROVED BY THE VERNON VIPERS
ORGANIZATION
Visit the Vernon Vipers at www.vipers.bc.ca
COMMENTS, ADDITIONS &/or SUGGESTIONS
Please, feel free to contact me with any comments, good or bad, additions to the stats, always appreciated, and of course your suggestions will be taken in consideration.
Email Address:
- vernonfranchise@shaw.ca
Mail Address:
- C/O Vernon Jr. 'A' Hockey History
- 1806-24th Ave.
- Vernon, B.C.
- Canada, V1T 1K9
TOGETHER, WE CAN COMPLETE THIS SITE !
kind regards, Paul C. Beugeling